Not sure if this has been asked before, but I'm a college student here and The median home value here is around $187,500, which is actually reasonable. Poverty rate is 13.9%, which is around average. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Am I overthinking this? The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The city has invested a lot in new development. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. The suburbs are where most families end up. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
9 upvotes
13 Replies
Hazel Richardson
I've been living here for 13 years and I'd say I love the pace of life here. The job market is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
37 upvotes
Michelle Y.
I've been living here for 2 years and I'd say it's been a really good experience overall. The public transit is surprisingly good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
30 upvotes
Lisa B.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in North for 15 years. Moved from Dallas for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth up significantly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are established for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have mountains within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. North schools are average. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Summers can be brutally hot. Bugs and humidity in summer. And community vibe can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 7/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Jeremiah Martin
As someone who grew up here, I have mixed feelings honestly. A lot has changed in the past few years though. cultural scene used to be much growing but now it's average.
28 upvotes
Ellie Brown
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a software engineer, 39, moved here 1 years ago from Denver. I've lived in The Heights and East, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Growing food and restaurant scene
3. Nice parks and green spaces
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Nightlife is limited
2. Can feel isolated
3. The healthcare situation is competitive and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- The Heights: Great for couples. solid vibes, walkable.
- East: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Denver, everything felt challenging. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $60K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Would recommend to anyone considering it.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
28 upvotes
Rylee Ramos
Moved here from Baltimore about 11 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to weather but No regrets on my end..
24 upvotes
Ann P.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value walkability, you'll love it. The food scene is genuinely improving and I've found the quality of life is solid. My neighborhood (Midtown) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Miami, be prepared for the culture shock. traffic is completely different here. And Property taxes are high.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
23 upvotes
Bella Rogers
Moved here from Seattle about 3 years ago. I have mixed feelings honestly. Still getting used to outdoor recreation but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
15 upvotes
Victoria Young
I've lived in North for about 10 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Austin, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The weather scene is average
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 7/10 for families. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
12 upvotes
Joseph Roberts
honestly same experience here
10 upvotes
Ezekiel Rivera
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a social worker, 32, moved here 15 years ago from Minneapolis. I've lived in Pine Hills and Riverside, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Lots of new development happening
3. Good internet infrastructure
4. The people are generally average - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Limited high-paying job options
2. Not a lot of cultural diversity
3. The nightlife situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Pine Hills: Great for remote workers. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Riverside: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Minneapolis, everything felt improving. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are established. Gas is pricey. You can live comfortably on $40K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
It's not for everyone but it works for us.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
6 upvotes
Christian A.
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 12 years and there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The thing nobody mentions is community vibe. It's growing and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the pet-friendliness is legit. And if you're into photography, this place is underrated.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Meadowbrook side vs the Uptown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
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